Belgium's Elaut NV has taken out a European patent for its E-Claw crane machine mechanism, according to a report in Intergame, a trade magazine.

E-Claw machines employ an interchangeable claw mechanism that can be changed out to match a wide variety of prizes.

The patent will allow Elaut to stop third parties from manufacturing, marketing, using or importing its patented device without consent. Elaut is promising to pursue legal action against any E-Claw infringements.

The patent applies in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Austria, as well as in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Poland. Other countries will follow in the next few weeks, Intergame reports.